• Champions League

Celtic avoid an artificial banana skin

ESPN staff
August 7, 2013
Whose side are you on? Elfsborg's Mohamed Bangura, on loan from Celtic, battles with Celtic's Charlie Mulgrew © AP
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An uninspired Celtic progressed to the Champions League play-off round after a 0-0 draw against Elfsborg in Sweden, winning the tie 1-0 on aggregate.

On an artificial surface which was unfamiliar to the visitors as well as being unwelcome, they will take the result as a hurdle avoided.

There were few opportunities for either side, Elfsborg pressing forward without the necessary cutting edge to really trouble the Scottish champions.

As expected, the most attention centred on Elfsborg's on-loan Celtic striker Mohamed Bangura and he almost levelled the tie in the opening minutes with an overhead kick which went just wide.

At the other end Joe Ledley came closest but his shot in a crowded penalty area was well saved by Kevin Stuhr Ellegaard.

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